Test Tube Alien Toy

ABSTRACT

An interactive alien toy assembly ( 10 ) includes a chrysalis ( 20 ) that is placed in a test tube ( 22 ) along with water that dissolves the chrysalis ( 20 ) to expose an alien toy ( 12 ) whose super absorbent body portion ( 18 ) swells to simulate growth. Control circuitry ( 16 ) activates when an upper liquid sensor ( 32 ) and a lower liquid sensor ( 34 ) are exposed to the water. A light assembly ( 39 ) displays a simulated heartbeat in orange if both sensors ( 32, 34 ) are immersed to simulate overfeeding, in green if both sensors ( 32, 34 ) are exposed to simulate underfeeding, and in red if only the upper liquid sensor ( 32 ) to simulate correct feeding. A photo sensor ( 26 ) detects time spent in light and dark that is tracked to change the heartbeat, unless overfed. A computer display interrogation pattern ( 162 ) causes output of tracked age/neglect information or to go into an excited or coma mode.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to toys that interact withuser and ambient conditions, and in particular to toy pets responsive tolight and liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Given the wide range of toys available, especially those that areelectronically programmed to mimic living things, a continuing needexists for unusual toy “pets” that interactively engage a child toenhance entertainment and learning potential.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention overcomes the above-noted and other deficiencies of theprior art by providing a toy that requires proper care by maintaining awater level and an ambient light level that affect a status displayed ona light assembly mounted on the toy.

In one aspect of the invention, a display interrogation sequence may beproduced on a monitor that is sensed by the toy to cause the toy toenter into a mode that changes light sequences produced by the lightassembly.

In another aspect of the invention, control circuitry of a toy monitorambient conditions, particularly a level of liquid in which the toy isimmersed, and responds with an indication to the user. Thereby, the toyemulates a creature who needs to be maintained within a proper level ofliquid for feeding.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a body portion is formed ofsuper absorbent material that swells in the presence of liquid tofurther mimic growth of the toy.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall bemade apparent from the accompanying drawings and the descriptionthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention,and, together with the general description of the invention given above,and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an alien toy in a transparent test tube immersedin water at one of three levels to dissolve an encasing chrysalis, andto activate a head portion and to swell a body portion formed of superabsorbent polymer material.

FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic of active electronic circuitry of theinteractive alien toy assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first alien toy for the interactivealien toy assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a second alien toy for the interactivealien toy assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a third alien toy for the interactivealien toy assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of a fourth alien toy for the interactivealien toy assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of a fifth alien toy for the interactivealien toy assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2F is a perspective view of a sixth alien toy for the interactivealien toy assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram of an active electronic circuitry of the alientoy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an initial unborn/test mode of the activeelectronic circuitry of the alien toy of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram of a “heartbeat” exhibited by a lightingassembly of the alien toy after being “born”.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of ten surprise and neglect transition lightsequences displaced by the lighting assembly in some instances.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation that causesthe alien toy of FIG. 1 to enter an age check mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a light sequence denoting age 5 days displayed onthe lighting assembly in response to the age check mode interrogation ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a light sequence denoting age 58 days displayedon the lighting assembly in response to the age check mode interrogationof FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation thatcauses the alien toy of FIG. 1 to enter a neglect check mode.

FIG. 11 is a 5-bit dark neglect counter register maintained by the alientoy of FIG. 1 depiction denoting binary 00110.

FIG. 12 is a 5-bit light neglect counter register maintained by thealien toy of FIG. 1 depiction denoting binary 00101.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a light sequence denoting the contents of thetwo neglect counter registers of FIG. 11-12 displayed on the lightingassembly.

FIG. 14 is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation thatcauses the alien toy of FIG. 1 to enter an excited mode.

FIG. 15 is a timing diagram of a light sequence interrogation thatcauses the alien toy of FIG. 1 to enter a coma mode.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the chrysalis being inserted into thetest tube.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the chrysalis in the test tube beingimmersed in water.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the immersed chrysalis dissolving intothe water.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the “born” alien toy after thechrysalis fully dissolves.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the alien toy being overfed by beingfully immersed, causing a green LED to illuminate as a heartbeat.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the alien toy being underfed by havinga left antenna exposed, causing an orange LED to illuminate as aheartbeat.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the alien toy being correctly fed byhaving an upper portion of the antenna exposed, causing a red LED toilluminate as a heartbeat.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a correctly fed, immature alien toyafter being initially exposed from the chrysalis.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a correctly fed, adolescent alien toyafter being exposed to water for about a week, allowing a superabsorbent body portion to swell to a mid-size.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a correctly fed, mature alien toy afterbeing exposed to water for about two weeks, allowing the super absorbentbody portion to swell to a full size.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a sequence of interactions of the alientoy assembly with a web browser graphic user interface displayed on acomputer screen that interrogates the alien toy to selectively enter anage check, a neglect check, an excited mode, or a coma mode that cause achange in the light assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to the Figures, wherein like numerals denote like componentsthroughout the several views, in FIG. 1, an interactive alien toyassembly 10 has an alien toy 12 initially comprised of a head portion 14containing active electronic circuitry 16 and attached to a non-expandedbody portion 18 comprised of super absorbent polymer material. After aweek of exposure to water, an adolescent alien toy 12′ is formed with amid-sized adolescent body portion 18′. After about two weeks of exposureto water, the mature alien toy 12″ has a full-sized mature body portion18″. A chrysalis structure 20 formed of an opaque, water solublematerial encompasses the head and body portions 14, 18 of the alien toy12 to deactivate the electronic circuitry 16, to prevent expansion ofthe body portion 18 to its mature state indicated at 18″, and to enhanceplay by resembling an insect-like chrysalis.

A liquid container, depicted as a transparent plastic test tube 22, ofthe toy assembly 10 is sized to receive the chrysalis 20 andsubsequently the mature alien toy 12″ having the mature body portion18″. The head portion 14 is maintained in an upright position by thetest tube 22. Sensors monitor ambient conditions that are maintained bya child who interacts with the alien toy 12. In an illustrative version,light and water depth serve as environmental inputs for the activeelectronic circuitry 16. In particular, a right antenna 24 contains alight sensor 26 responsive to an ambient light threshold to respond witheither a “LIGHT” or “DARK” signal to a controller 28 of the activeelectronic circuitry 16. Placement of the light sensor 26 in the rightantenna 24 advantageously allows detection of ambient light levels insituations in which the toy 12 is immersed in a less than transparentliquid; however, it should be appreciated that the light sensor 26 maybe attached to a lower portion of the toy 12. A left antenna 30 has anupper liquid sensor (“ULS”) 32 and a lower liquid sensor (“LLS”) 34 thatsense the presence or absence of liquid, depicted as water 35, definingthree water levels 36, 36′, 36″ that are respectively a low levelexposing both liquid sensors 32, 34 (“underfed”), a medium levelcovering only the lower liquid sensor 34 (“correctly fed”), and a highlevel covering both liquid sensors 32, 34 (“over fed”).

It should be appreciated that the liquid depicted as water 35 as aconvenient and safe option. However, applications consistent with thepresent invention may employ various liquids, mixtures, or solutions. Toenhance the entertainment potential, various bubbling, foaming, colorchanging, or other effects may be selected for the interaction betweenthe liquid and the chrysalis structure 20.

It should be further appreciated that the liquid container may be opaquerather than transparent, with the toy 12 viewed from the opening.Alternatively, a view window (not depicted) may be incorporated. Inaddition, although the test tube 22 advantageously orients an elongateshaped toy keeping certain sensors at or near the top level of the water35, liquid containers consistent with aspects of the present inventionmay be of other shapes, such as much larger than the toy 12, such asthose provided by the end user and not supplied with the interactivealien toy assembly 10. Weighting a lower portion of the toy 12 andallowing a top portion to be buoyant would thus accomplish the orientingof the toy 12 for liquid level detection.

Alternatively, flexible portions of an alien toy may further adapt tovarious water levels, especially when placed in a liquid container thatmay greatly vary in water depth. For example, weighted legs may stretchtoward the bottom of the container and have sensors that detect when thetoy is fully floating, when the legs are touching the bottom and whenthe body of the toy is touching the bottom. Similarly, elongate antennasor snorkels may float with the rest of the body being non-buoyant.

The active electronic circuitry 16 is powered by a power supply 38,which in the illustrative version is a battery. Alternatively, the powersupply 38 may comprise dissimilar metal electrodes activated by fillingthe test tube 22 with electrolyte solution, an ultracapacitor or similarstorage device charged inductively or by photovoltaic effect, etc. Toextend useful life, visual and/or audio outputs are intermittentlyprovided by low power consuming devices and the controller 28 isconfigured to go into a low power consumption mode under certainconditions described below. In illustrative versions, the controller 28performs a status mode by activating a light assembly 39 composed of atranslucent light panel 40 illuminated by a selected light emittingdiode (LED), in particular a green LED 42, an orange LED 44, or a redLED 46. In the illustrative version, a bi-color LED may be activated in(1) green or (2) red mode or in (3) both modes that appear orange.

Alternatively or in addition to a visual cue, the active controlcircuitry 16 may include an audio device 48 to enhance the mimicry ormimic sounds of a living organism and/or to provide similar statusinformation described herein as timed and sequenced color data displayedby the translucent light panel 40.

In FIG. 2, an exemplary active electronic circuitry 16′ for the alientoy 12 is built around a 4-bit microcontroller (U2) that operates onvery low current, such as the Model W541C200. The circuitry 16′ ispowered at a Voltage Common Cathode (VCC) node once a short pad (S1) isfused during fabrication to a positive terminal of a double 1.5V cellbattery (BAT1) referenced to circuit ground (GND). Protection to thecircuitry 16′ is given by a 0.1 μF fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C5) anda 4.7 μF fixed polarized capacitor (C4) both connected across VCC nodeand GND node. The microcontroller (U2) has both pin 5 and pin 10 (VSS)negative power supply (−) connected to GND node. The microcontroller(U2) has both pin 20 and pin 25 (VDD) positive power supply (+)connected to VCC node.

To generate a system clock, pin 26 (XOUT) of the microcontroller (U2) isconnected to GND node via an 18 pF fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C9) andpin 27 (XOUU) is connected to GND node via an 18 pF fixed nonpolarizedcapacitor (C1). An oscillator (Y1) having a resonant frequency of 32.768kHz is connected across pin 26 (XOUT) and pin 27 (XOUU).

A test apparatus (SOCKET1) allows interacting with a Writer to confirmoperation of the circuitry 16′ during fabrication. To that end, A firstpin of SOCKET1 is connected to pin 4 ( RES), a system reset pin withpull-high resistor of the microcontroller (U2). A second pin of SOCKET1is connected to pin 2 (RA3) of the microcontroller (U2). A third pin ofthe SOCKET1 is connected to pin 5 (VSS) of the microcontroller (U2). Afixed nonpolarized capacitor (C3) is connected across the first andsecond pins of the SOCKET1. A fourth pin of the SOCKET1 is connected topin 3 ( INT), external interrupt pin with pull-high resistor of themicrocontroller (U2). A fifth pin of SOCKET1 is connected to VCC nodeand also connected to pin 3 ( INT) of the microcontroller (U2) via a 330kΩ resistor (R8). A 10 kΩ resistor (R7) is connected across the firstand fifth pins of SOCKET1. A silicon epitaxial planar switching diode(D1) model IN4148 has a negative terminal connective to the fourth pinof SOCKET1 and a positive terminal connected to pin 18 (RC2) of themicrocontroller (U2). A silicon epitaxial planar switching diode (D2)model IN4148 has a negative terminal connective to the fourth pin ofSOCKET1 and a positive terminal connected to pin 17 (RC1) of themicrocontroller (U2). Pins 17, 18 of the microcontroller (U2) are eachbiased by being connected to VCC node via 330 kΩ resistors (R3, R4),respectively. The diodes D1, D2 allow simulating activation of upper andlower liquid sensors.

The upper and lower liquid sensors 32, 34 are provided in the exemplaryversion by a probe common conductor (PROBE COM) connected to pin 11(RB0) of the microcontroller (U2) and physically proximate to a HighElectrode (H) and physically proximate to a Low Electrode (L) for beingelectrically shorted in the presence of a conductive liquid.Alternatively, these High and Low Electrodes (H, L) may representpressure switches triggered by the fluid pressure of the liquid. TheHigh Electrode (H) is also connected to a base of an NPN silicontransistor (Q4) model 9014D whose collector is connected to pin 18 (RC2)of the microcontroller (U2) and whose emitter is connected to GND node.Biasing of the transistor (Q4) is provided with a 10 MΩ resistor (R11)connected between the base and emitter. Filtering is provided for thishigh liquid level signal with a fixed nonpolarized capacitor (C8)connected between pin 18 (RC2) of the microcontroller (U2) and theemitter of the transistor (Q4). The Low Electrode (L) is connected to abase of an NPN silicon transistor (Q3) model 9014D whose collector isconnected to pin 17 (RC1) of the microcontroller (U2) and whose emitteris connected to GND node. Biasing of the transistor (Q3) is providedwith a 10 MΩ resistor (R10) connected between the base and emitter.Filtering is provided for this low liquid level signal with a fixednonpolarized capacitor (C7) connected between pin 17 (RC1) of themicrocontroller (U2) and the emitter of the transistor (Q3).

The light sensor 26 in the exemplary version is provided an NPN siliconphoto transistor (Q5) model WPTS-332D whose emitter is connected via ashort point (S2) to the GND node and whose collector is connected via a56 kΩ resistor (R1) to a base of an NPN silicon transistor (Q6) whosecollector is connected to pin 16 (RC0) of the microcontroller (U2).Filter of the transistor (Q6) are provided by a fixed nonpolarized 47 nFcapacitor (C6) between the base and GND node and by a fixed nonpolarized47 nF capacitor (C2) between the collector and the GND node. The emitterof the transistor (Q6) is connected via a short point (S3) to both GNDnode and to pin 12 (RB1) of the microcontroller (U2). Biasing of thephoto transistor (Q5) is provided by a series combination of resistors(R2, R14) between VCC node and the collector, the resistance selectedfor a desired darkness threshold. The switched transistor (Q6) is biasedby VCC node being connected to the collector via a 330 k resistor (R13).The collector is also connected to a test node (T1).

The light assembly 39 in the illustrative version is provided by a RedLED (LED1) and a Green LED (LED2) each having a negative terminalconnected to GND node, with both being turned on to create Orange. Poweris selectively provided to Red LED (LED1) by a base of a PNP silicontransistor (Q1) model 9015D being connected via a 10 kΩ resistor (R5) topin 6 (RE0) of the microcontroller (U2). A collector of the transistor(Q1) is connected to VCC node and an emitter is connected to a positiveterminal of the Red LED (LED1) via an 820Ω resistor (R6). Power isselectively provided to Green LED (LED2) by a base of a PNP silicontransistor (Q2) model 9015D being connected via a 10 kΩ resistor (R12)to pin 7 (RE1) of the microcontroller (U2). A collector of thetransistor (Q2) is connected to VCC node and an emitter is connected toa positive terminal of the Green LED (LED2) via a 390Ω resistor (R9).

For a given inner diameter of a test tube 22, various shapes of an alientoy 12 may be formed that increase the likelihood of additionalpurchases to complete a set. Each version, depicted in a fully grownstate, may share the same electronic circuitry 16 or be programmed fordifferent light responses tailored to a specific model. In FIG. 2A, a“good alien” TATSUNI™ alien toy 12 a is depicted. In FIG. 2B, a “goodalien” KURION™ alien toy 12 b is depicted. In FIG. 2C, a “good alien”YAGONI™ alien toy 12 c is depicted. In FIG. 2D, a “bad alien” SHAKO™alien toy 12 d is depicted. In FIG. 2E, a “bad alien” DODEC™ alien toy12 e is depicted. In FIG. 2F, a “bad alien” TAKON™ alien toy 12 f isdepicted.

While an alien is depicted in the illustrative version, other aestheticshapes may be employed consistent with aspects of the invention, such asfantastic sea creates such as mermaids, extinct ancient sea creaturessuch as trilobites, or realistic or caricatured animals such as a frog.

In FIG. 3, an exemplary state change procedure 50 performed by thecontroller 28 of the electronic circuitry 16 of FIG. 1 depicts thevarious modes of the light assembly 39. Upon fabrication, an initialstate is “unborn” and/or test mode 52. In FIG. 4, this stage beforereaching an end user (“child”) begins with fabrication of the alien toy(block 54), which includes supplying power to the controller 28. Thecontroller 28 then enters a low power sleep mode (block 56), whereinoutputs such as the light assembly 39 are disabled and processing iskept to a minimum. Once an antenna sensor 32, 34 is triggered in block58, the controller 28 is enabled to process and comes out of low powersleep mode. A determination is then made if a test mode has beenexternally commanded (block 60). Specifically, the controller 28 watchesfor the lower liquid sensor to be triggered three times within 2 secondsand then the upper liquid sensor to be triggered three times within asubsequent two seconds. This type of activation requires a testapparatus setup to initiate as may or may not happen prior to encasingthe alien toy 12 and packaging for shipment to the end user. Althoughnot depicted, the controller 28 also looks for simultaneous activationof both antenna sensors 32, 34 to go into normal mode, but proceduralsafeguards during fabrication in the test equipment, etc, may preventinadvertent activation of the electronic circuitry 16 into normal mode.

Alternatively, a physical disconnect of a power supply may furtherextend shelf life, such as a switch, pull tab or other device.

If the test mode is sensed in block 60, a test mode indication is output(e.g., 1 second illuminations of each LED 42, 44, 46 in turn) (block62). Then the controller watches for any of the three sensors 26, 32, 34to be triggered within a 10 second test mode period to test a specificLED 42, 44, 46. In particular, if a determination is made in block 64that the lower liquid sensor 34 is triggered, the red LED 46 is toggledon (block 66). Then if the upper liquid sensor 32 is triggered (block68), the green LED 42 is toggled on (block 70). Then if the photo sensor26 is triggered (block 72), the orange LED 44 is toggled on. Theseprocessing/lights tests occur in whatever order until a determination ismade in block 76 that a 10 second time-out has occurred, after which thecontroller 28 goes back to block 56 and returns to sleep mode.

At some point during fabrication, in block 78 the alien toy 12 isencased in a chrysalis that disables the sensors 26, 32, 34 and theassembly is packaged and shipped to an end user (block 80). The end userthen begins play by placing the chrysalis into the test tube and addingwater to dissolve the chrysalis (block 82). Next the antenna sensors 32,34 are exposed to liquid and are activated (block 84). The controllermakes a determination whether normal mode has been indicated (block 86)(e.g., simultaneous activation of both liquid sensors 32, 34 for twoseconds). If not, the controller returns to sleep mode in block 88. Ifnormal mode is detected in block 86 with both antenna liquid sensors 32,34 activated by exposure to water for two seconds, the controller 28blocks out test mode as an option and initiates processing as a “born”alien and begins tracking time since being born and other light exposurefactors (block 90).

In FIG. 5, upon activation (i.e., when the alien toy 12 is “born”), thelight assembly 39 exhibits a “heartbeat” (FIG. 4) of a repeated seriesof a pair of 0.02 s color pulses spaced by 0.25 s followed by a 1.5 slow power sleep mode period. Proper care of the alien toy 12 requiresproper amounts of time in both light and dark conditions. The life (ofthe battery 38) is maximized by placing the alien toy 12 in light forabout 12-14 hours followed by about 12-14 hours of dark per day. (SeeTables 1-2.) Either too much darkness or too much light increases powerconsumption by changing the “heart beat” of the alien toy 12 to a higherpower consuming mode. The controller 28 monitors the light level every15 s under normal conditions. Upon transitioning from light to darkness,monitoring increases to once per second for two minutes to detect a webinteraction code, as described below.

Returning to FIG. 3, the selected color (i.e., illuminated green, orangeor red LED 42, 44, 46) of the light assembly 39 depends upon the waterlevel sensed by the controller 28. With a low level, the color isorange, which consumes more battery power by requiring illumination oftwo LEDs to create the color. With a correct level, the color is red.With a high (“over fed”) level, the color is green (block 104), whichhas a particular heartbeat pattern that does not depend on thelight/dark state. See Table 3. This over fed state 104 trumps all othermodes. If not overfed in block 104, a state of “in light” of block 106,Table 1, or “in dark” in block 108, Table 3, is entered. The colorpattern depends upon the duration of remaining in that state.

TABLE 1 Alien in the light Time in LED LED LED LED on LED off SequenceState name Light color on Time off Time Time Time Duration A  0-12 hrsFood 0.02 s 0.25 s 0.02 s 1.5 s 1.79 s dependant B 12-14 hrs Food 0.02 s0.25 s 0.02 s 0.7 s 0.99 s dependant C  14+ hrs Food 0.02 s 0.25 s 0.02s 0.5 s 0.79 s dependant

If the alien is in states A, B or C and placed in the dark, it movesdirectly to state D.

TABLE 2 Alien in the Dark State Time in LED LED on LED LED on LED offSequence name Dark color Time off Time Time Time Duration D  0-5 minsFood 0.02 s  0.25 s 0.02 s 1.5 s 1.79 s dependant E  5-30 mins Food 0.02s  0.25 s 0.02 s 2.5 s 2.79 s dependant F 30 min-12 hrs Food 0.02 s 0.25 s 0.02 s 5.0 s 5.29 s dependant G 12-13 hrs Food 0.5 s 0.25 s 0.5 5.0 s 6.25 s dependant H 13-16 hrs Food 1.0 s  0.5 s  1.0 s 5.0 s  7.5 sdependant I  16+ hrs Food 1.5 s   1 s  1.5 s 10.0 s    14 s dependant

If the alien is in states D, E, F, G, H or I and placed in the light, itmoves directly to state A.

TABLE 3 Overfeeding/Drowning Time State in LED LED on LED off LED on LEDoff Sequence name state color Time Time Time Time Duration J 0-2 Green  1 s 0.5 s   1 s 0.5 s   3 s mins K 2-4 Green  0.2 s 0.25 s   0.2 s0.25 s  0.9 s mins L 4+ Green 0.05 s 0.2 s 0.05 s 0.2 s 0.5 s mins

When the alien device 12 has been in the dark state 108 for 30 minutesto 10 hours or has been in the light state 106 for 30 minutes to 10hours and transitions to the other state 106, 108, the alien deviceenters one of six “surprised” transition states. If 0.5 to 3 hours indark, then a first surprised state occurs (block 110) before moving tothe normal light state (block 106). As graphically depicted in FIG. 6,the sequence is a six second sequence of half second color flashes:red—orange—green—off—red—orange—green—off—red—orange—green—off.

If 3 to 7 hours in dark, then a second surprised state occurs (block112) before moving to the normal light state (block 110). As graphicallydepicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is a six second sequence of half secondcolor flashes:orange—green—red—off—orange—green—red—off—orange—green—red—off.

If 7 to 10 hours in light, then a third surprised state occurs (block114) before moving to the normal light state. As graphically depicted inFIG. 6, the sequence is a six second sequence of half second colorflashes: green—red—orange—off—green—red—orange—off—green—red—orange—off.

Similarly, if in light in block 106 for 30 minutes to 3 hours, a fourthsurprised state occurs (block 116) before moving to the normal darkstate (block 108). As graphically depicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is asix second sequence of half second color flashes:red—green—orange—off—red—green—orange—off—red—green—orange—off.

If in light in block 106 for 3 to 7 hours, a fifth surprised stateoccurs (block 118) before moving to the normal dark state (block 108).As graphically depicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is a six second sequenceof half second color flashes:orange—red—green—off—orange—red—green—off—orange—red—green—off.

If in light in block 106 for 7 to 10 hours, a sixth surprised stateoccurs (block 120) before moving to the normal dark state (block 108).As graphically depicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is a six second sequenceof half second color flashes:green—orange—red—off—green—orange—red—off—green—orange—red—off.

If the duration is not 30 minutes to 10 hours that results in asurprised state, 110-120, the transition between light 106 to dark 108or dark 108 to light 106 may be direct without a transition state ifless than 30 minutes or 10 to 12 hours as depicted. If more than twelvehours, then a neglected transition state occurs.

If in light in block 106 for 12 to 14 hours, a first neglected stateoccurs (block 122) before moving to the normal dark state (block 108).As graphically depicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is a six second sequenceof half second color flashes:red—green—red—off—red—green—red—off—red—green—red—off.

If in light in block 106 for over 14 hours, a second neglected stateoccurs (block 124) before moving to the normal dark state (block 108).As graphically depicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is a six second sequenceof half second color flashes:green—red—green—off—green—red—green—off—green—red—green—off.

Similarly, if in dark in block 108 for 12 to 16 hours, a third neglectedstate occurs (block 126) before moving to the normal light state (block106). As graphically depicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is a six secondsequence of half second color flashes:orange—green—orange—off—orange—green—orange—off—orange—green—orange—off.

If in dark in block 108 for over 16 hours, a fourth neglected stateoccurs (block 128) before moving to the normal light state (block 106).As graphically depicted in FIG. 6, the sequence is a six second sequenceof half second color flashes:green—orange—green—off—green—orange—green—off—green—orange—green—off.

Returning to FIG. 3, in addition to responding to environmentalconditions such as water depth and the presence or absence of light, thealien toy 12 advantageously interacts with coded light-dark flashedsequences by initially making a determination if a web mode selectedstate (block 130) has been commanded, and then to move to an age checkstate (block 132), a neglect check state (block 134), a ten minuteexcited state (block 136), or a lower power coma state (block 138).

For instances in which the user chooses to exit the excited state (block136) and/or the coma state (block 138) or to otherwise correct amalfunction or inadvertent state of the control circuitry 16, a resetbutton or other similar device may be incorporated into the alien toy 12to return the control circuitry 16 to another state. For example, aninternal gravity switch may interrupt power to the control circuitry 16when the alien toy 12 is upside down, preventing operation if insertedupside down in the test tube 22 or serving as a reset if momentarilyinverted.

In FIG. 7, the web mode selected state 130 is invoked by placing thealien toy 12 in dark for at least 15 seconds, since the normallight/dark detection rate is once every 15 seconds. Then the aliendevice 12 is placed in light for at least 15 seconds. Again, thisensures that the state change has been detected. With a detecteddark/light transition, the alien toy 12 begins to monitor lightconditions once per second for two minutes before reverting back to the15 second interval. Thus, when a subsequent one second dark indicationis sensed, the web mode selected state 130 is triggered. The alien toy12 looks for the next three light/dark samples taken once per second toindicate three-bit command, followed by a three second light commandthat the alien toy 12 takes as a stop condition and coincides with await period before the new state 132-138 is entered. In FIG. 7, theunique 3-bit code for age check is LIGHT-DARK-LIGHT.

In response to the age interrogation code, the alien toy 12 enters theage check state 132. Once the three second delay elapses to give the enduser child time to be prompted to look at the light assembly 39 of thealien toy 12, a visual age code is displayed that may be input into aninteractive computer graphical user interface to translate an 8-bitbinary number into a base ten number. For example, in FIG. 8, first afour second orange indication is given, then green half second flashesfor zeroes and red half-second flashes for ones are given, with halfsecond off states between color flashes. After a stop 4 second orangeindication, the 8-bit code replays and ends with another four secondorange indication (not shown). In FIG. 8, the 8-bit binary code given is0000 0101, which is 5 days old. In FIG. 9, the 8-bit binary code givenis 0011 1010, which is 58 days old.

In FIG. 10, the web mode selected state 130 has occurred but thesubsequent 3-bit unique code received is a dark-light-dark thatindicates neglect check state 134. Supposing that previously the alientoy 12 had been in the third and fourth dark neglected states 126, 128five and one times respectively, then FIG. 11 depicts a 5-bit binaryregister representation of a dark neglected counter register 140containing 00110, which is 6. Further supposing that previously thealien toy 12 had indicated the first and second light neglected states122, 124 zero and five times respectively, then FIG. 12 depicts a 5-bitregister representation of a light neglected counter register 142containing 00101, which is 5. In FIG. 13, in neglect check state 134with reference to these registers 140, 142, the alien toy 12 displays a4 second orange flash, followed by 10 half second color flashes of greenfor zero and red for one with interspersed half second off between colorflashes, followed by 4 second orange flash, a repeat of the 10-bitdisplay, and then a 4 second orange stop flash. The first 5 bits ofinformation correspond to the dark neglected counter register 140 andthe second 5 bits of information correspond to the light neglectedcounter register 142. Thus, in FIG. 13, the 10-bit code for 0011000101is green—green—red—red—green—green—green—red—green—red. The counters140, 142 reach their maximum count at binary 11111, which is 31. Thisvalue is maintained if subsequent neglected states are encountered.

In FIG. 14, if after web mode selected state 130 is entered and the next3-bit unique code received is dark-dark-light, then the excited state136 is entered, which imparts a temporary change in the heartbeat of thealien toy 12 to a rapid beat. Thus, the timing of the heartbeat depictedin FIG. 5 would be modified as described in Table 4. The alien toy 12returns to ‘normal’ condition (state A of Table 1, light state 106 orstate D of Table 2, dark state 108, as appropriate) after 10 minutes.Detecting an overfed state 104 overrides the excited state 136.

TABLE 4 Time LED State in LED LED on off LED on LED off Sequence namestate color Time Time Time Time Duration M 10 Food 0.05 s 0.2 s 0.05 s0.2 s 0.5 s mins dependent

In FIG. 15, if after web mode selected state 130 is entered and the next3-bit unique code received is light-light-dark, then the coma state 138is entered, which imparts a change in the heartbeat of the alien toy 12to a slow beat and suspends incrementing a counter used for the agecheck state 132. Thus, the timing of the heartbeat depicted in FIG. 5would be modified as described in Table 5. The alien toy 12 remains inthe coma state 138 until an overfed state 104 is detected, or otherwiseuntil a light state 106 is detected (State A of Table 1).

TABLE 5 LED LED State Time in LED LED on off LED on off Sequence namestate color Time Time Time Time Duration N Until Food 0.02 s 0.5 s 0.02s 10 s 10.54 s light is dependent detected

In use, in FIG. 16, the chrysalis structure 20 is inserted into the testtube 22. In FIG. 17, the test tube 22 is filled with water 35. In FIG.18, the water soluble chrysalis 20 dissolves into solution. In FIG. 19,the chrysalis 20 is completely dissolved, exposing the immature alientoy 12 that is thus “born” and begins its light heartbeat on the lightassembly 39. In FIG. 20, if the level of water 35 is too high at level36″ fully covering the left antenna 30, then the light assembly 39 ofthe alien toy 12 is green, activating the green LED 39. In FIG. 21, ifthe level of water 35 is too low at level 36 fully exposing the leftantenna 30, then the light assembly 39 of the alien toy 12 is red,activating the red LED 44. In FIG. 22, if the level of water 35 iscorrect at a midpoint of the left antenna 30 at level 36, then the lightassembly 39 of the alien toy 12 is orange, activating the orange LED 46.The immature alien toy 12 of FIG. 23 with a non-expanded immature bodyportion 18 is exposed to the water 35. In FIG. 24, after a week ofexposure to water 35, the adolescent alien toy 12′ has the mid-sizedadolescent body portion 18′. After about two weeks of exposure to water35, the mature alien toy 12″ has a full-sized mature body portion 18″.

The interactive alien toy assembly 10 may be placed next to web browsergraphical user interface (GUI) 150 of a computer display 152 to providefurther interactive possibilities other than varying the light and waterdepth. Once launched, the web browser GUI 150 instructs the end userchild to turn off the lights in the room in which the computer display152 resides to initiate web mode selection state 130. The approximately15 seconds necessary in darkness (state 108) then elapses. Active spotson the web browser GUI 150 are provided to select one of four web modes.In particular, an age check icon 154 may be selected to enter age checkmode 132. A neglect check icon 156 may be selected to enter neglectcheck mode 134. An excite mode icon 158 may be selected to enter theexcite mode state 136. A coma mode icon 160 may be selected to enter thecoma state 138. Once one of the icons 154-160 is selected, which in theillustrative version is the neglect check icon 156, a display portion162 on the web browser GUI 150 proximate to the alien toy12—“hypnotizes” the alien toy 12 prior to interrogation for 15 secondsthat ends with the one second dark screen that signals the alien toy 12that the unique 3-bit code is to follow. The display portion at 162 ahas gone black as the first bit. The display portion at 162 b has gonewhite as the second bit. The display portion at 162 c has gone black asthe third bit. After the web browser GUI 150 instructs the child tomemorize the light pattern exhibited by the alien toy 12, the webbrowser GUI 150 provides a color sequence entry screen 164, if in theage check mode 132 or neglect check mode 134, that accepts entry of thedisplayed pattern. The web browser GUI 150 then converts the inputbinary code into a base ten number in an output display 166.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or otherdisclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to beincorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to theextent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existingdefinitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in thisdisclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure asexplicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting materialincorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, thatis said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts withexisting definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forthherein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arisesbetween that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description ofseveral embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not the intention of theapplicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications mayreadily appear to those skilled in the art.

For example, the web browser GUI may be an Internet supplied JAVAapplet, or locally installed computer program, a game console-basedprogram, or a dedicated interface device that becomes part of theinteractive alien toy assembly 10.

For example, alternatively or in addition to a flashed interrogationpattern on a computer monitor, a microphone or other audio transducermay monitor a sound pattern emanated by the computer monitor to controlthe toy. In addition, while an interactive web browser GUI has variousadvantages, applications consistent with the present invention mayinclude a broadcast program that includes the interrogation patternswith instructions for the viewers to place their toy in proximity to thescreen.

As another example, while the “growth” of the alien toy 12 enhances themimicry of a living creature, it should be appreciated that applicationsconsistent with the present invention may not have an expansive portion.For example, a “meteorite transported aquatic robotic soldier” mayrequire a period of time in an ocean environment after reentry foractivation.

As an additional example, instead of swelling in the presence of water,a toy consistent with aspects of the invention may change over time byhaving resilient portions that are freed after release from thechrysalis structure or that are otherwise mechanized for actuation.

As yet a further example, while incorporation of a chrysalis structureenhances the entertainment potential, applications consistent with thepresent invention may omit such a structure.

As yet an additional example, applications consistent with the presentinvention may include a body formed entirely from a rigid material,formed entirely from a resilient but nonabsorbent material, formedentirely from a super absorbent, swelling material, or from somecombination of these materials.

While a particular sequence of interrogation light signals and colored,timed light responses are illustrated herein, applications consistentwith the present invention may employ various combinations of lightand/or audio responses to various combinations of light and/or audiointerrogation or ambient conditions. For example, the web page interfacemay include color codes that are detectable by a light sensor to makeadditional unique interrogation codes and/or to avoid inadvertentactivation of a web mode. Certain sound triggers could also “wake” or“excite” or “surprise” the alien toy. Further, for clarity, a singlecolor signal at a time is depicted, whereas multiple colors may bedisplayed at the same time. Moreover, instead of LED type lights, lightpanels (e.g., LCD, OLED, etc.) may be incorporated into the alien toy.

1. A toy, comprising: a body portion; a sensor attached to the bodyportion responsive to an ambient condition; a human detectable outputdevice attached to the body portion; and control circuitry contained inthe body portion operatively configured in response to the sensor totrack a metric associated with the ambient condition, to associate acurrent value of the metric with one of a plurality of stored outputstates, and to activate the human detectable output device in a definedoutput sequence defined for the associated output state.
 2. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a light sensor.
 3. The toy ofclaim 2, further comprising an interrogation system including a displayoperatively configured to produce a coded light sequence, the controlcircuitry responsive to the coded light sequence to perform analternative output sequence on the human detectable output device. 4.The toy of claim 3, wherein the alternative output sequence comprises alower power consuming coma mode.
 5. The toy of claim 3, wherein thealternative output sequence comprises an accelerated excited mode. 6.The toy of claim 3, wherein the alternative output sequence comprises anencoded numeric representation of the tracked metric.
 7. The toy ofclaim 6, wherein the interrogation system is further operativelyconfigured to receive and convert the encoded numeric representationinto a displayed base ten number.
 8. The toy of claim 2, furthercomprising a second sensor attached to the body, the second sensorresponsive to a liquid level in contact with the body, the controlcircuitry further operatively configured to respond to the liquid level.9. The toy of claim 8, wherein the control circuitry is operativelyconfigured to respond to the liquid level by altering the defined outputsequence.
 10. The toy of claim 8, wherein the control circuitry isoperatively configured to respond to the liquid level by tracking asecond metric.
 11. The toy of claim 10, further comprising aninterrogation system including a display operatively configured toproduce a coded light sequence, the control circuitry responsive to thecoded light sequence to perform an alternative output sequence on thehuman detectable output device containing a numeric representation ofthe second metric, the interrogation system further operativelyconfigured to receive and decode the numeric representation into adisplayed base ten numeral.
 12. The toy of claim 1, wherein the sensorcomprises a liquid sensor.
 13. The toy of claim 12, further comprising aliquid container sized to receive the body portion, the body portionconfigured to upwardly present the liquid sensor, the liquid sensoroperatively configured to generate a signal responsive to a depth ofliquid in the liquid container.
 14. The toy of claim 1, wherein thehuman detectable output device comprises a light emitting device. 15.The toy of claim 1, wherein the human detectable output device comprisesan audio output device.
 16. The toy of claim 1, wherein the body portionfurther comprises an absorbent portion configured to swell in thepresence of liquid.
 17. The toy of claim 1, further comprising anencompassing portion comprised of a material dissolved in liquid.
 18. Atoy, comprising: a body portion formed of super absorbent material; asensor responsive to an ambient condition; circuitry attached to thebody portion operably configured to produce a varying human detectableoutput in response to a sensed change in the sensed ambient conditions.19. The toy of claim 18, wherein the sensor comprises a liquid sensor,the circuitry further operably configured to vary the human detectableoutput in response to a selected one of a group consisting of presenceand absence of liquid.
 20. The toy of claim 18, wherein the sensorcomprises a photo sensor, the circuitry further operably configured tovary the human detectable output in response to a change in intensity ofambient light conditions.
 21. The toy of claim 20, wherein the controlcircuitry is further operably configured to count an operating conditionand to respond to coded light sequence to output the tracked operatingcondition on the human detectable output.
 22. The toy of claim 21,wherein the human detectable output comprises a light assembly.
 23. Thetoy of claim of 18, wherein the human detectable output comprises acolor light assembly.
 24. The toy of claim 23, wherein the color lightassembly is responsive to the circuitry to produce a selected one of agroup consisting of a first color, a second color, and a third color.25. A toy, comprising: a body portion; a liquid sensor attached to thebody portion; a light sensor attached to the body portion; a lightassembly attached to the body portion; control circuitry contained inthe body portion and in communication with the liquid and light sensorsand operatively configured to actuate the light assembly in response tothe liquid sensor and the light sensor.
 26. The toy of claim 25, furthercomprising a dissolvable layer encompassing the body portion, thecontrol circuitry responsive to the encased state of a selected one of agroup consisting of the liquid and light sensors to operate in a lowpower consumption mode.
 27. The toy of claim 25, further comprising apower supply contained in the body, the control circuitry responsive tosensed presence of light and liquid to selectively actuate the lightassembly in a high power consumption mode and a low power consumptionmode.
 28. The toy of claim 25, further comprising a water absorbing,resilient portion.